UNCSW delegates proclaim a women's way forward in broken times

Issues of poverty, education and gender equality proved more imminent than questions of sexuality to most of the Anglican Women gathered last week at the UNCSW in New York City.

Akinkoye (a lawyer and a UNCSW delegate from Nigeria) signed the Anglican women's statement affirming the women delegates' ongoing relationship, she explained, because "it does not draw a line of finality." The Anglican Communion, she says, is a family. "Even in the family, sisters and brothers from the same womb, we disagree," she said. "But that does not stop us from being sisters and brothers. I say this as a mother, as a woman, as a wife, it can never be over." Akinkoye signed the Anglican women's statement affirming the women delegates' ongoing relationship, she explained, because "it does not draw a line of finality." The Anglican Communion, she says, is a family. "Even in the family, sisters and brothers from the same womb, we disagree," she said. "But that does not stop us from being sisters and brothers. I say this as a mother, as a woman, as a wife, it can never be over."

For the Anglican women, the mission to work together to heal God's world takes precedent over their theological differences. In their statement, they pledge to live out reconciliation for the sake of a suffering world.

"This sisterhood of suffering is at the heart of our theology and our commitment to transforming the whole world through peace with justice," the statement says. "Rebuilding and reconciling the world is central to our faith."

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